Do you load your mags to full capacity?

[Pa.Bill]

Originally Posted by ham385

I was always taught to load 1 less than capacity to save the mag springs. Anyone else ever heard this? Is it an old wives tale? I tried searching for this, but no luck.

Back in the 60's Vietnam. There was a memo sent that some 1911 mags could fail, from the heat, if loaded fully. Because of that memo, we loaded one less round.
This discussion, as far as I know, (one less round) has been going on since then. The first time I ever heard of this was either Little Creek Va.US Naval Amphibian Base or US Naval Base Imperial Beach Ca. The year was 1969.

~HAPPY LOADING~
Bill------------------------------>

[RONNIE77]

When I carry & home protection- Max cap + 1 in the pipe
Range shooting - handguns & rifles (5 at a time) thats just my routine.
I heard the max capacity rumor before, and I think it is BS.

[Emptymag]

Originally Posted by RONNIE77

When I carry & home protection- Max cap + 1 in the pipe
Range shooting - handguns & rifles (5 at a time) thats just my routine.
I heard the max capacity rumor before, and I think it is BS.

I think it depends on the "reason".

For example:
As for ruining the springs, my thought is it's BS.

As for the reason TonyF mentioned in regards to M16/AR15 mags, it makes perfect sense. It has nothing to do with "bad springs", or "feed lip" problems, but rather the potential difficulty in seating a magazine.

Good thread.

[paul]

For TonyF, why exactly would you want to load with a closed bolt?

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by paul

For TonyF, why exactly would you want to load with a closed bolt?

Tactical reload.

[RONNIE77]

Originally Posted by Emptymag

I think it depends on the "reason".

For example:
As for ruining the springs, my thought is it's BS.

As for the reason TonyF mentioned in regards to M16/AR15 mags, it makes perfect sense. It has nothing to do with "bad springs", or "feed lip" problems, but rather the potential difficulty in seating a magazine.

Good thread.

You are correct! I meant the myth of ruining the springs.
TonyF made a interesting point. I could see that as being legitimate reason. Gotta try it.

[paul]

Oh, tactical.

Is that like an IDPA thing? Don't get me wrong, I could see how it would be thorny to get caught in a reload, but I think I remember doing that maybe once or twice at the max, just because It was nightime and I needed to load a mag with tracers, but then I load to thirty and didn't have a problem. I'm sure all of my springs were pretty well broken in though, and when it comes to round count I use the rhythm method.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by paul

Oh, tactical.

Is that like an IDPA thing?

No. It was included as part of carbine training programs that were developed in the late 1980's.

Don't get me wrong, I could see how it would be thorny to get caught in a reload, but I think I remember doing that maybe once or twice at the max, just because It was nightime and I needed to load a mag with tracers, but then I load to thirty and didn't have a problem. I'm sure all of my springs were pretty well broken in though, and when it comes to round count I use the rhythm method.

In running firefights where one will probably always be shooting dry, speed reloads rule the day.

However, tactical reloads do have there place in LE and civilian engagements and occasionally, as you experienced, in .mil scenarios.

ETA: Just wanted to add that Col. Cooper opined that at the very least, tactical reloads were a necessity as it is considered improper firearms etiquette to return home from a gunfight with a partially loaded weapon.

[Lycanthrope]

Cycles are what kill springs and it does happen to valve springs. You just won't notice it unless you run high rpms. At that point the valves start to float a lot earlier than before. Of course, abusing a spring will kill it too....

All my AR16's seat with a closed bolt and a full mag. I find that rifles that absolutely won't seat under any condition usually have the mag release button wound in one thread too far.


Lycandiffrentstrokesthrope

[tdyoung58]

Originally Posted by ham385

I was always taught to load 1 less than capacity to save the mag springs. Anyone else ever heard this? Is it an old wives tale? I tried searching for this, but no luck.

always full